Footy world divided by controversial Josh Addo-Carr call in Dragons’ win

A touch judge stepped in to make a massive call that denied Parramatta a certain try in a moment that has split the NRL world.

Parramatta was denied a try after a hugely controversial call in the second half of their 34-20 loss to St George-Illawarra on Saturday night.

The Dragons led 26-4 at halftime after a dominant opening 40 minutes and appeared ready to coast to victory at WIN Stadium.

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

But the Eels had other ideas, scoring three tries in an 11-minute stretch to roar back into the contest at 26-20.

Then came the moment that will have plenty of people talking.

The Eels moved the ball to the left side of the field with just over 17 minutes remaining, when Sean Russell found Josh Addo-Carr on the left wing.

Josh Addo-Carr's foot was agonisingly close to the sideline. Photo: Fox Sports

The man known as the Foxx broke a Corey Allan tackle and passed back inside to Russell, who had clear air in front of him to stroll to the line and give Parra the chance to tie the game at 26-26.

But the touch judge had other ideas, lifting his flag and ruling Addo-Carr had touched the sideline to stun the Eels fans watching on.

When the replay was shown, it was one of the tightest calls you could see on the footy field and far from convincing.

“Addo-Carr is away, it might be 26-26 in a moment,” Andrew Voss yelled on Fox League.

“No the flag is up, a foot over the sideline. Our man is standing by his decision.

The touch judge and Corey Allan were adamant on the sideline. Photo: Fox Sports

“Addo-Carr, left leg down and then the right, where is it? Could be this one. I don’t know.

“If it’s not, it’s as close as you can go. Oh boy.”

Steve Roach added: “I don’t know about that. How could naked eye make a call?

“He had a player down in front of him, how could he see it?”

Voss then clarified the ruling, stating: “That is incredible that moment, but once the sideline official’s flag goes up, the protocol is you don’t go to the Bunker. It was going to be 26-all.

“Send some Panadol to the Dragons’ box.”

Fans were deeply divided by the incident on social media.

Lui Zacher tweeted: “Touchie has X ray vision to see through a Dragons player, and CSI: Enhance technology to call Addo-Carr’s boot on the line 15 metres away, but someone chucks a forward pass right in front and it’s “I didn’t see nuffin”.”

@aotesam wrote: “I think his foot *just* went into touch … but there is absolutely no way you can call it with confidence.”

Jack Holdsworth said: “The first time a useless touch judge has ever made a live call and he reckons he’s seen 1mm of Addo-Carrs foot on the sideline. Give me a f**king spell.”

Mr_Ives wrote: “That Dragons Eels touchie could see Uranus without a telescope.”

Gemma Rogers suggested: “I thought the touchie got that right. Looked like his foot was just on the line.”

The Dragons jumped out to a big lead. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Before the Eels came roaring back. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

LJ declared: “Parra have been screwed big time there, that was never in touch!”

The Dragons eventually scored another try through Valentine Holmes with five minutes remaining to establish a match-winning lead.

Voss was left hoping Addo-Carr’s moment wouldn’t be the biggest talking point of a great game of footy.

“There’s been so much happening in this game,” he said.

“I know people are going to go back to the Addo-Carr foot on the line.

“If he’s in, it’s the closest to being out anyway there’s ever been and that would be 26-all at that point.

“But I’d rather savour the game at the moment, rather than the controversy.”

We’re not sure Eels fans would agree, Vossy.

Originally published as Footy world divided by controversial Josh Addo-Carr call in Dragons’ win